Lalitpur, July 22:

A discussion on Nepal Mandal, the possible Newar Autonomous Region, was held here today.

Presenting a concept paper on the boundary of the historic Nepal Mandala, Kashinath Tamot, a historian, said the area covering 12 districts of present Nepal was known as Nepal Mandala during the period of Barma dynasty.

“History is testimony to the fact that Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kabrhe Palanchowk, Makawanpur, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok, Dhading, Rasuwa, Dolkha, Ramechhap and Sindhuli belong to the state of Nepal Mandala, predominantly a state of the Newars.”

According to him, the area can be traced based on 64 shiva lingas and 24 Buddhist shrines located in the area. He termed them the evidence of the Kathmandu Valley civilisation. Though the Newars live in the valley, the surrounding hills and the river basins beyond those hills have been their agriculture land for thousands of years, he said.

“The historic area of Nepal Mandala could be a base for determining the Newar Autonomous Region.”